[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Schodack 12-10-1981
as L.L. No. 1-1981. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to § 91-a of the General Municipal Law and at the
request of the Town of Schodack Fire Chiefs Association, this chapter is enacted
for the purpose of establishing a Fire Investigation Unit for the Town of
Schodack.
A.
The Supervisor of the Town of Schodack is hereby empowered
to formulate a Fire Investigation Unit comprised of volunteer firemen and
a member or members of the Schodack Police Department, all with experience
and training in fire and arson investigation.
B.
The operational objectives of such Unit shall be:
(1)
To enter and remain at a fire scene within the boundaries
of the Town of Schodack for the purpose of determining the cause and origin
of any fire of suspicious, incendiary or undetermined origin.
(2)
To interview persons who may have knowledge or information
which would aid in the determination of the fire cause or origin.
(3)
To search for and remove materials from a fire scene
which might aid in the determination of the cause of the fire. This includes
the collection of any evidence to be forwarded to a forensic laboratory for
examination.
(4)
To assist the Town of Schodack Police Department (upon
request by the Department) in an investigation which results from any determination
that the cause of the fire is arson. This includes rendering technical assistance
to a Police Department member while engaged in an interview or other specific
instances.
The Fire Investigation Unit shall be under the direct supervision of
the member of the Schodack Police Department assigned to such unit.
In the exercise of the powers granted by this chapter, the Supervisor
may, from time to time, designate as Fire Investigator any one or more of
the officers of the several fire districts, fire protection districts, fire
departments or fire companies in the Town of Schodack, or any fireman thereof,
and may employ necessary assistants therefor. Such Fire Investigators shall
serve at the pleasure of the Supervisor. The Town Board may fix the compensation
of all Fire Investigators and any assistants employed under the provisions
of this chapter, and all expenses incurred under the provisions of this chapter,
shall be a charge upon and paid by the town.
